Live Well Foundation of South Lake completed its Transformation awards cycle at a grant celebration last night.  “The Live Well Foundation board of directors is dedicated to funding healthcare initiatives that enhance accessibility and promote well-being for South Lake County residents,” said Donna Kirtland, Live Well Foundation Executive Director. “These grants support innovative and sustainable projects aimed at addressing critical healthcare needs in our community. Together, we are paving the way for healthier futures and meaningful transformations that will benefit our residents for years to come.”  Kirtland noted the $764,000 philanthropic contributions will begin January 22 and are slated for continued disbursements over the next few years.

In addition to distributing $764,000 through the late fall 2024 Transformation Grant, the Live Well Foundation of South Lake is proud to announce its first-ever challenge grant. This significant initiative, also known as a matching grant, demonstrates the Foundation’s commitment to enhancing community health resources in South Lake County.

The challenge grant offers a dollar-for-dollar match of up to $2 million to support the Community Health Center’s efforts to establish a new Clermont Community Health Center. The Community Health Center is tasked with raising funds to cover critical infrastructure needs. For every dollar raised toward these foundational elements, the Live Well Foundation will provide an equivalent match, up to $2 million, to fund the construction of the new facility.

This strategic partnership ensures that the Community Health Center can focus on developing essential infrastructure while leveraging the Foundation’s support to bring the Clermont Community Health Center to life. By working together, the Live Well Foundation and the Community Health Center aim to address the growing healthcare needs of the community and create a lasting impact on the well-being of residents.

The awarded proposals each improve population health in South Lake County and align with the Foundation’s mission to inspire sustainable initiatives that enhance the health and wellness of the South Lake Community. Funds have been granted to the following:

  • American Heart Association: $250,000 to address barriers to CPR/AED implementation and address gender, socioeconomic status, race, and ethnic disparities in bystander CPR. American Heart Association will provide legal education, CPR/AED training and implement cardiac emergency response plans within venues such as local schools, sports programs, libraries etc. in South Lake County.

  • Building Blocks Ministries: Building Blocks Ministries offers independence and new skills for adults with developmental disabilities, and much needed support and respite for caretakers.  The $250,000 grant funds are earmarked for their Building Blocks Patio Project which will expand outdoor spaces, wellness programs and socialization opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities.

  • Community Health Centers: A challenge/matching grant of up to $2,000,000 of funds raised in 18 months starting in January 2025 to be allocated to South Lake County. This challenge grant encourages Community Health Centers to raise and earmark funds that will establish the infrastructure necessary to create the new Clermont Health Center. Live Well Foundation will then match those funds raised for infrastructure – dollar for dollar – up to $2 Million, to be used for the actual building of the new Health Center.

  • Episcopal Family Services: $263,750 to increase wellness for young children and their families within their early learning program that promotes school readiness for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers from families that meet income eligibility requirements. This enhancement, using the Office of Head Start framework called “I am Moving, I am Learning,” requires resources for classroom enhancements and professional development for teachers.  This grant will allow Episcopal Head Start services to create Play-Based Active Learning Environments that encourage physical movement and support different learning styles within a structured curriculum.

“We are thrilled to see these projects come to life in South Lake County,” said Susan McLean, Live Well Foundation of South Lake Grant Committee Chair. “Each represents a commitment to sustainable, preventative healthcare. The impact on our residents will be profound and enduring, and I am grateful to contribute in even a small way to this incredible transformation in our community.”

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 About Live Well Foundation of South Lake

The Live Well Foundation of South Lake, established in 2019 as a 501(c)(3) and dedicated to inspiring sustainable initiatives that enhance the health and wellness of the South Lake community, aspires to attract, and fund much needed healthcare and healthy lifestyle programs to serve residents. Visit Live Well Foundation of South Lake online at lwfsl.org for more information.

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